Politics

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Wednesday called the opportunity to appoint Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex Martinez to his Cabinet as manager of safety "a great catch."

It was one he didn't think would be possible.

"Justice Martinez's name came to us from some local people saying, 'You might consider him,' " Hancock said. "My first question was 'Would he consider this?' "

Turns out, Martinez — who has been on the Supreme Court bench for 15 years and spent 13 years prior to that as a lower-court judge — was itching for a challenge.

"Twenty-eight years on the bench, and everything that I have had to say in resolving disputes was done in the courtrooms or in writing, and I look forward to the opportunity to be able to speak out and share my views," Martinez said.

The manager of safety position, which provides civilian oversight of the sheriff, police and fire departments, has been in the spotlight lately, having to weigh in on several high-profile incidents involving law enforcement. Between March and July, Denver's safety managers fired 10 law enforcement officers over various incidents.

The position itself has had a high level of turnover since Al LaCabe retired in June 2010 after serving seven years. Martinez will be the city's sixth safety manager in the span of 1½ years when he begins Nov. 1.

Police Cmdr. Tony Lopez of District 6 lauded the choice of Martinez.

"For him to come from such an important, esteemed position is very exciting for us," Lopez said.

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Hancock still has six positions left to fill on his 15-member Cabinet: police chief, manager of human services, manager of community planning and development, manager of parks and recreation, manager of public works and manager of environmental health.

But this was a big one, Hancock said.

"The manger of safety is one of the most important positions in my Cabinet, particularly at a time when we must restore public trust and confidence in Denver's safety agencies," Hancock said.

Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis, who served on the Supreme Court with Martinez for nine years, called him a "wonderful choice," based on his integrity and his "deliberative but decisive approach to life."

Martinez will continue to serve on the state's high court until Oct. 31. Interim Safety Manager Ashley Kilroy will remain in her role until Martinez is sworn in.

Martinez said he has asked Chief Justice Michael Bender to begin the process of appointing a new justice. The state's Supreme Court Nominating Commission — made up of lawyers and nonlawyers from across the state — will consider applications and forward three finalists' names to Gov. John Hickenlooper. The governor must appoint a new justice within 15 days of receiving the names.

Martinez, 60, was reappointed for 10 years by voters in November and was earning $139,660 as a justice. He will earn $152,906 as manager of safety, a salary set by the City Council.

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